Air Force wasn’t Gavin McHenry’s first Division I offer. But it turned out to have the most impact.

McHenry, a Chaparral cornerback who committed to the Falcons last week, said he was initially skeptical about attending the service academy. But, after a series of visits, he learned more about the school, its campus, its traditions, and its football program. He came away impressed, and found the right fit.

“I had a wrong image of it,” McHenry said. “After finding out what it was really about there, that just told me what I needed to know, and definitely won me over. Not only is it for the great football, but for the career opportunities in the future after I gradate.”

A big part of McHenry’s commitment, he said, was Air Force coach Troy Calhoun.

“He’s just a really honest guy, straight-forward guy,” McHenry said. “He tells you not what you want to hear, but he tells you how it is. He tells you how it’s going to be hard, but (that they) have the environment there to work through it. I watched him coach, too, and he’s just level-headed.”

McHenry was first offered by Connecticut last May. Then, last summer, he went to a camp on Air Force’s campus and the coaches offered a scholarship him on the spot. Soon, Wyoming joined the mix.

Through his recruitment, the five-year military commitment upon his graduation from Air Force became a focus.

“When I talked to other coaches, they’re like, ‘Oh you have to serve for five years afterward,’ and they try and make it a downside,” McHenry said. “But I guess I see it as a guaranteed job, really. You’re getting paid really good money, and you’re coming out of school with no debt, so you’re going to be able to pocket most of that money and be able to invest and secure your future to start off with.

“I, personally, have never been against military service, so that was never a downside for me.”

McHenry will bypass the Air Force Prep school and enroll directly at the Academy. He’s been told by coaches that he has the potential to play early.

The Falcons are graduating long-time starters Anthony Wright and Jon Davis in the defensive backfield; a total of five DBs were seniors last season.

Short stuff:

Emily Podschweit is progressing with her quest to become the first Colorado product to receive a Division I scholarship in sand volleyball. She has an official visit to Florida International Jan. 26-29, and is also talking to Hawaii, Georgia and Florida Atlantic for beach. Several other schools that look to have the potential for a beach program in a year or two are hoping to bring Podschweit to their indoor team as a libero in the meantime. She trained at the Olympic Training Center in California over winter break, and hopes to represent the U.S. at the World Youth Games this summer.

Denver South’s Thomas Shepard, a 6-foot-5, 225-pound defensive end, committed to New Mexico State over the weekend. His teammate, Khiree Watts, a 6-0, 185 safety, also committed this weekend, to Adams State.

Pomona athlete Dylan Carter has committed to the University of Sioux Falls in South Dakota. He’ll likely play a strong safety there, with the possibility that he could also kick and punt in the future.

Jamie Peters, a second baseman for Dakota Ridge softball, has committed to Colorado State for its 2013 recruiting class. Peters hit .474 last season with two home runs and 17 RBI last fall.

Faith Christian’s Derek McCartney has been offered a grayshirt, meaning the 2012 grad would enroll in January 2013. He told Buffzone.com that he’ll use the extra time to bulk up from 218 pounds to 240: “Honestly I think it’s a good thing for me just because I am undersized for the position I want to play, and I need time to get bigger.”

Cherry Creek’s Christian Rebhun took an official visit to Northern Colorado last weekend. He’ll take a trip to New Mexico this weekend. Rebhun, 6-5, 230, made all-league at both positions last season. UNC has offered, and a New Mexico offer may be coming.

Chaparral CB/WR/return specialist Andrew McReynolds is taking an official visit to South Dakota State this weekend, and to CSU-Pueblo the weekend after that. He has offers from S.W. Minnesota State and Sioux Falls.

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Neil Devlin, originally from the Philadelphia area, has covered high school sports in Colorado for more than 30 years, writing about the people, athletes and events that encompass the Rocky Mountain prep sports world.